5 reasons the Bills need to make a move for Saints' HC Sean Payton as Rex Ryan heir

The Buffalo Bills will be searching for their eighth head coach since their playoff drought commenced in 2000. Rex Ryan was the latest casualty in what is becoming a never-ending cycle of coaches flowing in and out of Buffalo.

Without a solid foundation in place, it’s difficult to establish any continuity within the organization, which has led to underwhelming results on the football field for such a long period of time.

Therefore, the Bills need to thoroughly weigh all of their options when considering who’ll be that all-important head coach for 2017, and hopefully beyond.

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With plenty of options on the table, there is one name that sticks out among the potential suitors to fill Buffalo’s current head coaching vacancy: Sean Payton.

Sean Payton is currently the head coach for the New Orleans Saints, and his contract doesn’t expire until 2020. Given the fact that Saints haven’t enjoyed a winning season since 2013, it’s a possibility the organization may look to cut ties with Payton and begin to rebuild.

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If the Bills are indeed interested in trading for Payton, then Buffalo would need to orchestrate a trade in which both teams would agree on primary compensation (players or draft picks). Afterward, Buffalo can begin negotiations with Payton, and upon signing with the Bills, the Saints would finally receive its picks.

Adding a high profile, and proven, coach like Payton would benefit the Bills mightily.

Here are five reasons why Buffalo should pursue Sean Payton as their next head coach.

Experience/Credentials

One reason Payton would be so sought after is due to his experience and success in the NFL, especially as a head coach.

Since 2006, Payton has guided the Saints to a regular season record of 94-65 (.591) including a post season record of 6-4 (.600). His 94 regular season wins are a franchise record for most wins by a head coach.

Following a horrendous 3-13 campaign in 2005, Payton turned the Saints around in 2006. In his debut season as head coach, Payton led the Saints to a 10-6 record, earning AP Coach of the Year honors.

In addition, Payton has directed New Orleans to three NFC South championships (2006, 2009, 2011), including a Super Bowl win in 2009. His efforts, in total, have steered the Saints to five post season appearances (2006, 2009-2011, 2013) as well.

Payton’s success in turning the reputation of the New Orleans Saints into a powerhouse franchise over the past decade highlights his credentials and his experience of building a perennial winner, adding notable credibility to his resume in possibly becoming the Bills’ next head coach.

Won a Super Bowl

What ultimately defines your success in the NFL is based on the number of ‘rings’ you won. For Payton, he checks that box.

In 2009, Payton-led New Orleans to a 13-3 record, upsetting Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV, en route to the franchise’s first super bowl win in their first ever appearance.

A head coach with a decade of experience together with a Super Bowl victory under his belt would be invaluable to, at the moment, a misguided Bills organization.

Buffalo loss all four of their Super Bowl appearances, and with already delivering one franchise a Super Bowl win, Payton can translate his expertise into assisting the Bills in their quest for their first Super Bowl win.

Offensive superiority

Another reason why Payton and Buffalo can be a perfect match is because of Payton’s knack for offensive success.

Extraordinarily, in eight of his nine season’s as head coach, Payton has vaulted New Orleans into the top-5 in total offense, including finishing first five times (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014) while featuring the best passing attack in five seasons during Payton’s tenure (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015).

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Payton’s offensive success has been offset by poor defensive play. So far in 2016, Payton and the Saints’ offense is still going strong, engineering the NFL’s best passing attack (315.5 yards-per-game) and best offense (422.9 yards-per-game) despite their 7-8 record.

Payton’s cunning ability to scheme and elevate an offense can help get the most out of a talented core of offensive players in Buffalo featuring Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy. In fact, with the weapons in place, the arrival of a masterful offensive mind in Payton can potentially be the tipping point in overthrowing the New England Patriots for AFC East supremacy.

Former quarterbacks coach

What may sell general manager Doug Whaley in attempting to acquire Payton is his additional experience as a quarterbacks coach.

Through 1997-1998 as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach, Payton helped the Eagles’ quarterbacks pass for 4,009 yards in 1997. After being promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator for the New York Giants in 2000, his guidance led the Giants to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl XXXV.

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In 2003, Payton joined the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. There he helped quarterbacks Quincy Carter, Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde pass for 3,000 yards.

Finally, as he joined the New Orleans Saints as the new head coach in 2006, Payton was able to sign quarterback Drew Brees in free agency, and the rest is history.

Payton’s previous experience, and success, as a quarterbacks coach can help Buffalo identify a talented quarterback to build around for the future, as Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel are set to become free agents once the 2016 season concludes.

Age

A key aspect that may persuade the Bills to purse Payton is his unique combination of youth and experience.

Payton recently turned 53 years old on Dec. 29. Considering his decade of heading coaching experience together with his experience as a quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach makes for an impressive track record.

In comparison, another candidate Buffalo may strongly consider is Tom Coughlin. His age? 70 years old. Despite having one more championship than Payton, Coughlin is 17 years older than Payton, and hiring Payton over Coughlin would buy more time for the Bills to collaborate with Payton in their pursuit of capturing a championship.

Overall, Sean Payton makes perfect sense for the Buffalo Bills. He checks every box and is everything you would want in a head coach. His bountiful experience on multiple levels, his ability to transform the New Orleans Saints into a Super Bowl contender along with all of the success he’s garnered make up one hell of a track record.

If the Saints decide to move on from Payton, then Buffalo would be wise to at least attempt to snag a Super Bowl winning coach in order to optimize future organizational prosperity.

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